Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight - Eating Out

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight - Eating Out

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight - Eating Out

I walked into the Rock Inn and Roll Inn with a bunch of friends at my heels. The only ones that stayed behind were Pierre and Rhawrexdee. The Ranger because he wanted to keep an eye on the dragon, the dragon because he couldnt fit in the inn.

Julien! I called to the big grenoil behind the counter.

He looked up, and in an instant his expression shifted to a huge, welcoming grin. Little Broccoli! Its been days! And look at how many new customers you bring zis old frog.

I laughed and skipped over to the counter. Hey, were all looking for some delicious lunch, and a place to eat it, preferably outside. Do you think we could order here and eat in your courtyard?

Of course you can! I wouldnt take away the sun from such a pretty young woman. You should be enjoying the last of the warm weather before ze winter hits.

Booksie stepped up next to me and curtsied a little. Hello, sir, she said.

Booksie! I zought you were off, what wiz, well, you know.

Booksie shook her head. Its all been handled. I made some very good friends who helped me out of my pinch. She gestured my way with her ears. I was a little jealous of the control she had over them, mine tended to flop all over.

I see, zats wonderful!

Ah, about my new friends. One of them has... an appetite. For meat. Lots of it.

The grenoil nodded. Im sure we can arrange that.

No, no, I mean... lots of meat. A cartfull. Maybe two.

Julien blinked. Zats a lot of meat.

Hes a dragon, Booksie said.

The grenoil shifted to look out the window where, on turning to look myself, a large scaly flank was visible, gleaming a bright blue as it reflected the suns light. Ah, Julien said.

We dont want to leave him out, thats why I asked to eat outside, I said.

I... of course. Well, ah, place your orders and Ill get right to it? he asked.

I grinned. Knowing so many friendly people from all over was such a boon. Thanks Julien!

Soon enough, all of us were gathering in the courtyard tucked into the large C of the Inn. It was a nice spot, with a couple of little tables and a big old tree that cast green shadows across clean-cut grass.

Amaryllis installed herself at the table so that she could write her letters and such while the rest of us mostly just flopped onto the grass. It was a nice day for enjoying the bit of birdsong and the soft murmur of voices, the distant whistle of steaming pipes and the rattle of carts over cobbled roads.

Even Rhawrexdee seemed to appreciate the relaxation. He laid down on his side with a crash that made the ground bounce. For all that he was a dragon, I couldnt help but imagine a big dog laying onto its side on the grass.

Orange padded over to the dragon, then climbed up his side and flopped atop the huge creature to be in the position of maximum sun absorption.

I pushed my cleaning aura out as far as I could, wiping away the stink that such a big city without modern plumbing produced.

Zat was a nice spell, Arianne said.

Thanks! I said. Hey, do you guys think we could do a bit of sparring and training?

Awa, I would love more help, Miss Arianne, Awen said. My glass magic is still not very good.

Emeric shrugged his shoulders. Sure, why not? Broccoli, youre a melee-focused fighter?

Theres another opportunity, Amaryllis said. She looked very serious as she placed a letter before me. Read.

I pushed my lunch aside and picked up the letter, flattening it with my palm onto the table to remove the creases down its middle.

Dear Amaryllis,

I read your report. The timing was quite fortuitous as I was just arranging to send you a letter of my own. The events youve uncovered only scratch the surface of the troubles weve been having lately. It took a while before the number of coincidences started to add up towards something more than just unfortunately timed diplomatic incidents.

Someone is playing silly buggers with more than one nation, and its beginning to be a serious problem.

Which is why I wanted to contact you. The clan is sending a representative to the East to smooth over some of our difficulties. The diplomat is your cousin Fell. Shes competent enough, but I suspect that the news of our sending someone might be intercepted. Thats why I thought that, were you willing, you could act as a second, unannounced, diplomat.

Your position in the family would remove any doubt as to your credibility.

Please write back as soon as you can. Things are beginning to move at a pace that were not comfortable with, and time may be of the essence.

Your mother.

I finished reading the letter, a bit disappointed that there wasnt more fluff and love in it and that it was all business, but then, it was a sort of business letter. So, does this mean were going to the Nesting Kingdom next? I asked.

I can hardly ask that you come with me, Amaryllis said.

I rolled my eyes, then leaned to the side until I was pressed up against Amaryllis. Then, for good measure, I pulled her into a hug. As if Id let you go alone, I said.

Amaryllis huffed her I want to look as if I dont like this, but I actually do huff. If you dont want to come, perhaps I could entice you by introducing you to my sisters. And as for you, Awen, my home has some of the best mechanics and engineers in the world. They could certainly teach you a thing or two.

Awen giggled a little lady-like giggle, then she pressed herself onto my other side and pulled Amaryllis even closer. I think we would enjoy that, Awen said. But, but if Broccoli taught me anything, its that you should always look out for your friends.

Youre both idiots, Amaryllis said, but she was flushed as she said it, the silly bird.

I love you guys, you know that, right? I asked, just to be sure.

Awa, Awen said.

Dont start, you moron. Its too early for that kind of sickly sweet... stuff, Amaryllis said. She was blushing a lot harder now. It was cute!

I sat up taller, still grinning for all I was worth. So, when do we leave?

I think today is too soon, Amaryllis said. Booking a flight doesnt sound feasible at this hour. But I think we could get one for tomorrow afternoon. Or we could teleport over.

Teleport? I repeated. My ears went ramrod straight above my head.

Amaryllis rolled her eyes. Its far more expedient, and ruinously expensive. Itll cost half a dozen gold to get us to Fort Sylphrot. But it would save us a day or two of travel time. And... I suppose I could defer the costs to the clan as a sort of expense.

That sounds awesome! I cheered.

Well see tomorrow, Amaryllis said.

I nodded, then slid out of my seat. Im going to go tell the others. Booksie will have to handle the dragon siblings all on her own.

I suspect that shell manage just fine, Amaryllis said. That dragon will be whipped to shape in no time, Im certain.

I shook my head. Amaryllis had weird ideas about relationships. Ill be right back!

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